Dishwasher utensil basket

ABSTRACT

A dishwasher including a utensil basket having a front wall, a side wall, and a bottom wall, wherein at least a portion of the front wall is movable between a first and second position, relative to the basket.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Contemporary automatic dishwashers for use in a typical household include a tub defining a treating chamber and a spraying system for recirculating liquid throughout the tub to remove soils from dishes and utensils. Upper and lower racks for holding dishes to be cleaned are typically provided within the treating chamber. A utensil basket for holding utensils, silverware, etc. is also usually provided and normally removably mounts to the door or within the lower rack. The utensil basket is configured to hold elongated utensils such as knives, spoons, forks, and spatulas in a vertical orientation as well as smaller objects that might fall through the racks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the inventive concepts relate to a dishwasher for treating dishes according to an automatic cycle of operation, the dishwasher comprising: a tub having an open face and at least partially defining a treating chamber configured to receive dishes for treating; a door assembly selectively closing the open face; at least one dish rack provided within the treating chamber; and a utensil basket located in the treating chamber when the door assembly closes the open face, the basket comprising: a bottom wall, a peripheral wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall, the bottom wall and peripheral wall defining a container and the peripheral wall terminating in an upper edge defining an open top, and a portion of the peripheral wall moves downwardly to provide access to the container.

In another aspect, the inventive concepts relate to a utensil holder for a dishwasher, the utensil holder comprising: a bottom wall, a peripheral wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall, the bottom wall and peripheral wall defining a container and the peripheral wall terminating in an upper edge defining an open top, and an upper segment of the peripheral wall moves downwardly to provide access to the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic, cross-sectional view of a dishwasher according to a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a controller of the dishwasher of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a utensil basket of the dishwasher of FIG. 1 wherein a portion of a front wall is in a first position.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the utensil basket of FIG. 3 wherein the portion of the front wall is moved to a second position.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are side views of the utensil basket, including a spoon, while the portion of the front wall is in the first and second positions, taken along line V-V of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a view of a door assembly of FIG. 1 and the utensil basket.

FIG. 7 is a view of a dish rack of FIG. 1 and the utensil basket.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In FIG. 1, an automated dishwasher 10 according to a first embodiment is illustrated. The dishwasher 10 shares many features of a conventional automated dishwasher, which will not be described in detail herein except as necessary for a complete understanding of the invention. A chassis 12 may define an interior of the dishwasher 10 and may include a frame, with or without panels mounted to the frame. An open-faced tub 14 may be provided within the chassis 12 and may at least partially define a treating chamber 16, having an open face, for washing dishes. A door assembly 18 may be movably mounted to the dishwasher 10 for movement between opened and closed positions to selectively open and close the open face of the tub 14. Thus, the door assembly provides accessibility to the treating chamber 16 for the loading and unloading of dishes or other washable items.

It should be appreciated that the door assembly 18 may be secured to the lower front edge of the chassis 12 or to the lower front edge of the tub 14 via a hinge assembly (not shown) configured to pivot the door assembly 18. When the door assembly 18 is closed, user access to the treating chamber 16 may be prevented, whereas user access to the treating chamber 16 may be permitted when the door assembly 18 is open.

Dish holders, illustrated in the form of upper and lower dish racks 26, 28, are located within the treating chamber 16 and receive dishes for washing. The upper and lower racks 26, 28 are typically mounted for slidable movement in and out of the treating chamber 16 for ease of loading and unloading. Other dish holders may be provided, such as a silverware basket. As used in this description, the term “dish(es)” is intended to be generic to any item, single or plural, that may be treated in the dishwasher 10, including, without limitation, dishes, plates, pots, bowls, pans, glassware, and silverware.

A spray system is provided for spraying liquid in the treating chamber 16 and is provided in the form of a first lower spray assembly 34, a second lower spray assembly 36, a rotating mid-level spray arm assembly 38, and/or an upper spray arm assembly 40. Upper sprayer 40, mid-level rotatable sprayer 38 and lower rotatable sprayer 34 are located, respectively, above the upper rack 26, beneath the upper rack 26, and beneath the lower rack 28 and are illustrated as rotating spray arms. The second lower spray assembly 36 is illustrated as being located adjacent the lower dish rack 28 toward the rear of the treating chamber 16. The second lower spray assembly 36 is illustrated as including a vertically oriented distribution header or spray manifold 44. Such a spray manifold is set forth in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 7,594,513, issued Sep. 29, 2009, and titled “Multiple Wash Zone Dishwasher,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

A recirculation system is provided for recirculating liquid from the treating chamber 16 to the spray system. The recirculation system may include a sump 30 and a pump assembly 31. The sump 30 collects the liquid sprayed in the treating chamber 16 and may be formed by a sloped or recess portion of a bottom wall of the tub 14. The pump assembly 31 may include both a drain pump 32 and a recirculation pump 33. The drain pump 32 may draw liquid from the sump 30 and pump the liquid out of the dishwasher 10 to a household drain line (not shown). The recirculation pump 33 may draw liquid from the sump 30 and the liquid may be simultaneously or selectively pumped through a supply tube 42 to each of the assemblies 34, 36, 38, 40 for selective spraying. While not shown, a liquid supply system may include a water supply conduit coupled with a household water supply for supplying water to the treating chamber 16.

A heating system including a heater 46 may be located within the sump 30 for heating the liquid contained in the sump 30.

A controller 50 may also be included in the dishwasher 10, which may be operably coupled with various components of the dishwasher 10 to implement a cycle of operation. The controller 50 may be located within the door 18 as illustrated, or it may alternatively be located somewhere within the chassis 12. The controller 50 may also be operably coupled with a control panel or user interface 56 for receiving user-selected inputs and communicating information to the user. The user interface 56 may include operational controls such as dials, lights, switches, and displays enabling a user to input commands, such as a cycle of operation, to the controller 50 and receive information.

As illustrated schematically in FIG. 2, the controller 50 may be coupled with the heater 46 for heating the wash liquid during a cycle of operation, the drain pump 32 for draining liquid from the treating chamber 16, and the recirculation pump 33 for recirculating the wash liquid during the cycle of operation. The controller 50 may be provided with a memory 52 and a central processing unit (CPU) 54. The memory 52 may be used for storing control software that may be executed by the CPU 54 in completing a cycle of operation using the dishwasher 10 and any additional software. For example, the memory 52 may store one or more pre-programmed cycles of operation that may be selected by a user and completed by the dishwasher 10. The controller 50 may also receive input from one or more sensors 58. Non-limiting examples of sensors that may be communicably coupled with the controller 50 include a temperature sensor and turbidity sensor to determine the soil load associated with a selected grouping of dishes, such as the dishes associated with a particular area of the treating chamber.

While the invention has been specifically described in connection with certain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that this is by way of illustration and not of limitation. Reasonable variation and modification are possible within the scope of the forgoing disclosure and drawings without departing from the spirit of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a utensil holder, such as a utensil basket 60, is also located within the treating chamber 16 and receives utensils for being treated. As used in this description, the term “utensil(s)” is intended to be generic to any item, single or plural, that may be placed in the utensil basket 60 for treatment in the dishwasher 10, including, without limitation; forks, spoons, knives, chopsticks, spatulas, tongs, whisks, etc. The utensil basket 60 can be removably mounted to or positioned in the lower rack 28. As another option, the utensil basket 60 can be removably mounted to or positioned in in the upper rack 26. As yet another option, the utensil basket 60 could be provided on the interior of the door assembly 18 facing the treating chamber 16, instead of either rack 26, 28. Multiple utensil baskets 60 can be provided in any of these locations.

The basket 60 includes a bottom wall 64 and a side wall 66 extending upwardly from the bottom wall 64 that together define a container having an open top. The basket 60 can additionally include a front wall 68 having a lower wall segment 70 and an upper wall segment 71, wherein the lower and upper wall segments 70, 71 divide the front wall 68 at a plane parallel to the bottom wall 64. As used herein, the “front wall” 68 is face, plane, or accessible side of the basket 60 configured to face the interior of the treating chamber 16 when the basket 60 is mounted with the door assembly 18, or configured to face the door assembly 18 when the basket 60 is mounted with a dish rack 26, 28. The side wall 66 can extend peripherally around, and extends upwardly from, a portion of the bottom wall 64. The upper wall segment 71 can be configured such that it is moveable relative to lower wall segment 70 or the side wall 66. The walls 64, 66, 68, 70, 71 can be made from a molded plastic generally having an open latticework including a plurality of openings such that wash liquid can enter the basket 60 and contact utensils in the basket 60.

In the illustrated embodiment, the peripheral combination of the side wall 66 and the front wall 68 extending from the bottom wall 64 has a generally rectangular shape, although other configurations are possible. Accordingly, the basket 60 can include opposing long sides 72, one of which includes in the front wall 68, joined by opposing short sides 74. The sides 72, 74 of the basket 60 can further include an upper edge 80 that defines the open top of the basket 60. The upper edge 80 also defines the upper edge of the side wall 66 and the upper wall segment 71.

A handle 82 extends upwardly from the open top of the basket 60, and is shown here as being coupled with at least one of the side wall 66, the bottom wall 64, or the lower wall segment 70, and spanning the width of the basket 60 between the long sides 72. The handle 82 can be configured to facilitate the removal of the basket 60 from the dishwasher 10.

As shown herein, the basket 60 can include a single molded body defining the bottom wall 64 and the side wall 66, which can together define a base of the basket 60. Additional embodiments of the disclosure can include configurations wherein the lower wall segment can be included in the single molded body defining the base of the basket 60.

A portion 83 of the front wall 68 of the utensil basket 60 is cut away to show the internal features of the basket 60. In the illustrated embodiment, a set of dividers 86 divides the basket 60 to form compartments 84 for receiving utensils. Any number of compartments 84 or dividers 86 can be included. The compartment 84 may be partitioned for separating utensils during a cycle of operation and for organized loading and unloading of utensils in the basket 60.

The dividers 86 can extend upwardly from the bottom wall 64 and between opposing long sides 72 of the basket 60. Correspondingly, the compartments 84 can be defined, at least in part, by the bottom wall 64, the side wall 66, the divider 86, and at least a portion of the front wall 68. Embodiments of the disclosure can further include a configuration wherein at least one divider 86 forms a portion of the handle 82, or supports the handle 82, such that at least one compartment 84 lies on either side of the handle 82.

A lower portion of the upper wall segment 71 can be rotationally coupled with at least one of the side wall 66 or lower wall segment 70 at a pivot point 76. Additionally, an upper portion of the upper wall segment 71 can include a removable coupling 78 configured to removably couple the segment 71 with at least one of the side wall 66 or lower wall segment 70 at the upper edge 80. While the removable coupling 78 can be described as configured to removably couple the segment 71 with the basket 60, alternative embodiments can be included wherein the coupling 78 retains, restrains, or prevents unintended movement of the upper wall segment 71 relative to the basket 60. Embodiments of the disclosure can additionally include removable couplings 78 spaced along the long side 72 of the basket 60 such that the segment 71 can further be removably coupled with, for example, the set of dividers 86 or the handle 82.

The removable coupling 78 can be configured such that a predetermined action or movement can decouple the coupling 78, and allow the upper wall segment 71 freedom to rotate about the pivot point 76, such that the upper wall segment 71 can be rotated away from the upper edge 80 of the basket 60 towards the bottom wall 64 or lower wall segment 70. In this sense, the upper wall segment 71 can be removably coupled with the upper edge 80 of the basket 60 in a first state (“closed state”) and removably de-coupled with the edge 80 and rotated downward in a second state (“opened state”).

FIG. 4 illustrates one example embodiment of the basket 60 wherein the upper wall segment 71 is in the opened state. As shown, the upper wall segment 71 in the opened state can provide increased, improved, or wider access to the set of compartments 84 of the basket 60, compared with a basket 60 in the closed state. For example, as utensils are being removed from the basket 60 after the cycle of operation, configuring the upper wall segment 71 in the opened state can provide a user increased, improved, or wider access to the utensils that are present in the set of compartments 84.

A user can initiate the movement of the upper wall segment 71 from the closed position to the opened position by toggling an interface of the segment 71 with the removable coupling 78. For example, as shown, the handle 82 can further facilitate movement of the upper wall segment 71 relative to the lower wall segment 70 and the side wall 66. The handle 82 can include a push button 88 movably coupled with a lever or latching mechanism 90. The latching mechanism 90 can be configured to match or keyed to interface with the coupling 78, illustrated as a hook or protrusion 92. The push button 88, latching mechanism 90, and protrusions 92 can be configured such that the upper wall segment 71 is restrained relative to the basket 60 while the segment 71 is in the closed position. Additionally, the actuation of the button 88, for example, by a user, can be configured such that the latching mechanism 90 unlatches or decouples from the removable coupling 78 or the protrusions 92, allowing the upper wall segment 71 to move or transition from the closed position to the opened position.

While toggling the button 88 to release the upper wall segment 71 at the coupling 78 has been described, alternative configurations of toggling an interface of the segment 71 can be included. Additional examples of the toggling can include, but are not limited to, unlatching the upper wall segment 71 from the coupling 78, or temporarily deforming at least a portion of the segment 71 or the coupling 78, wherein the deforming “releases” the segment 71 from the coupling 78, allowing it to pivot away from the coupling 78. Embodiments of the disclosure can also include configurations wherein at least a portion of the upper wall segment 71 can be, for example, lifted up and away from coupling 78, such that the lifting “releases” the segment 71 from the coupling 78. In this example, the coupling 78 can include a latch or hook mechanism, and lifting the upper wall segment 71 up and away from the latch or hook allows the segment to move from the closed position to the open position. In yet another embodiment of the disclosure Additional de-coupling configurations can be included.

Conversely, the coupling 78 and the upper wall segment 71 can be configured such that moving the wall from the opened position to the closed position couples, retains, latches, or the like, the segment 71 with the basket 60. In this sense, a user can re-couple the segment 71 with the coupling 78 just by returning the segment 71 to an upright or closed position. Alternatively, the basket 60 can be configured wherein the user must perform some additional action to re-couple the segment 71 with the coupling 78, such as toggle or move a locking element. In another example configuration, a user can recouple the upper wall segment 71 with the basket 60 by reversing the de-coupling procedure. Additional re-coupling configurations can be included.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate a side view of the basket 60 including a utensil (illustrated as a spoon 94) in, respectively, a closed position 96 and an opened position 98, taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4. As shown, the spoon 94 is positioned more upright in the basket 60 in the closed position 96, compared with the basket 60 in the opened position 98. The closed position 96 can be utilized, for example, when a user is loading utensils into the basket 60 prior to a washing cycle of operation, or during the washing cycle of operation. After the cycle of operation has completed, a user can move the upper wall segment 71 from the closed position 96 to the opened position 98, allowing the spoon 94 (or other utensils) to rest or lean farther away from the side wall 66, and thus, provide additional room, space, or access to grasp the spoon 94 when removing the clean utensil from the basket 60. Stated another way, the basket 60 in the closed position 96 can define a first access opening 100 available to a user or to a utensil, such as the spoon 94, while the basket 60 in the opened position 98 can define a second access opening 102 available to a user of to a utensil, such as the spoon 94. As shown, the second access opening 102 is significantly larger than the first access opening 100, providing a user increased, improved, or wider access to the utensils or to the set of compartments 84 of the basket 60.

FIG. 6 illustrates one example configuration of locating the basket 60 on an inner surface 104 of the door assembly 18. As shown, the inner surface 104 of the door assembly 18 can include a first set of mounting points or brackets 106 configured to permanently or removably mate with, match with, or keyed to fit with a corresponding second set of mounting points or brackets 108 located on the long side 72 of the side wall 66 opposing the front wall 68. While the basket 60 is shown mounting with an upper portion of the inner surface 104, configurations of the first set of mounting brackets 106 can be positioned at a lower portion of the inner surface 104 of the door assembly 18 (shown in dotted outline 110). Alternatively, in embodiments wherein the basket 60 can be removably mounted with the first set of mounting brackets 106, a door assembly 18 can include brackets 106, 110 on the upper and lower portions, such that a user can locate the basket 60 per their preference.

FIG. 7 illustrates another example configuration of locating the basket 60 on at least one of the upper dish rack 26 or lower dish rack 28. As shown, the dish rack 26, 28 can include a third set of mounting points or brackets 112 configured to permanently or removably mate with, match with, or keyed to fit with the second set of mounting brackets 108 located on the long side 72 of the side wall 66 opposing the front wall 68. Embodiments of the disclosure can include configurations wherein each dish rack 26, 28, multiple positions on the inner surface 104 of the door assembly 18, or any combination thereof, can include a set of mounting brackets 106, 110, 112.

Many other possible embodiments and configurations in addition to that shown in the above figures are contemplated by the present disclosure. For example, one embodiment of the invention can include variations on the relative height of, for example, the upper wall segment 71, the lower wall segment 70, the dividers 86, and the like. In another embodiment, the configuration of the basket 60 can modified to increase or decrease the volume of the compartments 84 or the access openings 100, 102. Additionally, embodiments of the disclosure can include a door assembly that partially opens, for example, only by a predetermined rotatable angle, such at 15 degrees, allowing a user to load or unload utensils without having the lean or bend over.

The embodiments disclosed herein provide a utensil basket having at least a portion of a front wall that is movable between an opened and closed position. One advantage that can be realized in the above embodiments is that the above described embodiments allow for a user to load or unload utensils with greater ease due to increased access to the utensil compartments of the basket. In this sense, a user can effectively bulk load or unload utensils while the upper wall segment is in the opened position, while performing a cycle of operation on the utensil while the segment is in the closed position. Thus, the embodiments disclosed allow a user to easily access the utensils in loading or unloading actions.

To the extent not already described, the different features and structures of the various embodiments can be used in combination with each other as desired. That one feature cannot be illustrated in all of the embodiments is not meant to be construed that it cannot be, but is done for brevity of description. Thus, the various features of the different embodiments can be mixed and matched as desired to form new embodiments, whether or not the new embodiments are expressly described. Moreover, while “a set of” various elements have been described, it will be understood that “a set” can include any number of the respective elements, including only one element. Combinations or permutations of features described herein are covered by this disclosure.

This written description uses examples to disclose embodiments of the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice embodiments of the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and can include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A dishwasher for treating dishes according to an automatic cycle of operation, the dishwasher comprising: a tub having an open face and at least partially defining a treating chamber configured to receive dishes for treating; a door assembly selectively closing the open face; at least one dish rack provided within the treating chamber; and a utensil basket located in the treating chamber when the door assembly closes the open face, the basket comprising: a bottom wall, a peripheral wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall, the bottom wall and peripheral wall defining a container and the peripheral wall terminating in an upper edge defining an open top, and a portion of the peripheral wall moves downwardly to provide access to the container.
 2. The dishwasher of claim 1 wherein the basket is mounted to at least one of the door assembly or dish rack.
 3. The dishwasher of claim 2 wherein the basket is mounted to the door assembly.
 4. The dishwasher of claim 3 wherein the door assembly comprises an inner surface.
 5. The dishwasher of claim 4 wherein the basket is mounted to an upper portion of the inner surface.
 6. The dishwasher of claim 2 wherein the basket is mounted to the dish rack.
 7. The dishwasher of claim 6 wherein the dish rack is located in an upper portion of the treating chamber.
 8. The dishwasher of claim 1 wherein the at least one dish rack comprises an upper and lower dish rack.
 9. The dishwasher of claim 8 wherein the basket is mounted to the upper dish rack.
 10. The dishwasher of claim 1 wherein the portion of the peripheral wall is pivotally mounted to another portion of the peripheral wall and pivots downwardly.
 11. The dishwasher of claim 10 wherein the peripheral wall defines multiple planar segments and the moveable portion is formed in one of the planar segments.
 12. The dishwasher of claim 11 wherein the one of the planar segments comprises a lower wall segment located below the upper wall segment.
 13. The dishwasher of claim 12 wherein the portion of the side wall is pivotally mounted to the lower wall segment.
 14. The dishwasher of claim 1 wherein the portion of the side wall is a segment of the peripheral wall located on a front face of the basket.
 15. A utensil holder for a dishwasher, the utensil holder comprising: a bottom wall, a peripheral wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall, the bottom wall and peripheral wall defining a container and the peripheral wall terminating in an upper edge defining an open top, and an upper segment of the peripheral wall moves downwardly to provide access to the container.
 16. The utensil holder of claim 15 wherein the upper wall segment is pivotally mounted to another segment of the peripheral wall and pivots downwardly.
 17. The utensil holder of claim 15 wherein the peripheral wall defines multiple planar segments and the upper wall segment is formed in one of the multiple planar segments.
 18. The utensil holder of claim 17 wherein the one of the planar segments comprises a lower wall segment located below the upper wall segment.
 19. The utensil holder of claim 18 wherein the upper wall segment is pivotally mounted to the lower wall segment.
 20. The utensil holder of claim 15 wherein the upper wall segment is located on a front of the utensil holder. 